Work a bike, drive a robot, build a rocket and more at DPPL's 5th annual Family Science Expo!

Bicycles donated to Working Bikes Cooperative at the 2012 Des Plaines Public Library Family Science ExpoDPPL Staff

Des Plaines Public Library

Des Plaines Public Library's Family Science Expo returns for a fifth year on Saturday, September 28th from noon to 4 pm. This year's event, geared to kids in grades 2 -- 8 and their parents, promises an afternoon of free science and engineering fun for the whole family.

Again this year, kids and adults are invited to bring their old bicycles to the library and donate them to Working Bikes Cooperative for use as tools of empowerment for people in developing countries. This not-for-profit tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization diverts bicycles from the waste stream in the greater Chicagoland and then repairs some for local donation & sale to help fund the overseas shipment and donation of all the remaining bicycles for conversion to power generation devices.

In addition, kids will:

• Jump on a bike-generator and see first-hand how the donated bikes generate power run a stereo, fountain, lamp, blender and more!

• Drive a robot courtesy of The LittleRobot Project (bring your own windows laptop and optional Android 3.0 or greater blue tooth enabled device for wireless operation). Kits will be available to take home for nominal fee, too!

• Build model rockets from pipe foam insulation with the Civil Air Patrol and other architectural structures with the Des Plaines Science Prodigies.

• Assemble small Solar Robot Kits with the IEEE Women in Engineering.

• Color, build and explore science and engineering via a PBS Design Squad activity and the Illinois Section American Society of Civil Engineers.

• Learn about light, color and optics in everyday applications from the Optical Society of Chicago

• Build a suspension bridge using just chairs, cardboard and string with the Society of Women Engineers.

• Participate in live chemistry and chemical engineering experiments with the American Chemical Society and American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

• Discover structural engineering and how skyscrapers stand tall and bridges stand strong, and then design and test a bridge using a computer program with the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois. And more!

"It is fantastic to see entire families turn out for this event each year. Many children know little about engineering and science professions or the ways science and engineering affect our lives every day!" says Stephanie Spetter, head of youth services at the library. "Through simple hands-on activities, experiments and demonstrations, this expo will show kids of all ages that science is all around us and is indeed COOL!"

Long-term, the goal of many of the organizations exhibiting is to inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists that will be needed to rebuild infrastructures and create new green technologies.

This event is free and no registration is required. Participants as of 9/19/13 include American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE); American Chemical Society, Chicago Section; Braino Institute of Brainology; Civil Air Patrol, Illinois Wing; Des Plaines Science Prodigies; Gateway Traveler Information System; IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE), Chicago Chapter; Illinois Section American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE); The Optical Society of Chicago; Society of Women Engineers; Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI); and Working Bikes. Family Science Expo is produced partnership with Village Bank & Trust.

For additional information and directions to the Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood Street in Des Plaines, visit www.dppl.org or call 847-376-2839.